Obama calls Sen. Kirk

By Byron Tau

05/31/12 06:17 PM EDT

(AP Photos)

President Obama called Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) Thursday to wish him a speedy recovery, a White House official told POLITICO.

Kirk, who has been mostly sidelined since suffering a stroke in January, was sent home from a rehabilitation center earlier this month. Kirk is expected to face a long-term physical recovery, but no ill cognitive effects from his illness.

"The call was a get-well call," a White House official said.

Kirk, a freshman and former member of the Illinois state legislature, holds the seat that Obama held as a Senator. The news was first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.